Does Your Brand Story Need a Loud Identity?

Does Your Brand Story Need a Loud Identity? We all deserve to be heard. And your sonic identity can help make your brand synonymous with the sounds your customers or clients will hear. How you make a sonic identity is a different story. And there’s plenty of industry-leaders that can teach us how to do it.

The human body has five basic senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. In today’s world, companies are engaging these five senses like never before. But hearing is taking center stage. With people always on the move, things like trendy smart speakers, podcasts, and music streaming now play an instrumental role in the world of brand recognition. By brands telling their story through an auditory experience, they create a sonic identity that customers and clients can recognize the next time they hear it. But does every brand story need a sonic identity?

A brief history of sonic identity

Sonic branding has been around for a long time. The songs and jingles that make up your childhood are proof of that. Think of the sounds you remember: your mother singing you to sleep. A teacher calling your name in front of a classroom. A tv or radio jingle that you’ll never forget. These memories stand out, staying with us long after they’ve come to pass. For decades, global brands like Coca-Cola, Skype, and McDonald’s have used music to create their sonic identities. Even an insurance company like Nationwide has used the same “Nationwide is On Your Side” jingle for the last fifty years.

And there’s science behind the lasting power of audio. Music can evoke specific memories, taking us back to moments of joy, happiness, and comfort. When brands reach consumers on an emotional level through song, they’re also creating a sonic identity that could define them for years to come.

Sound examples of sonic branding

Think about the fizz of Alka-Seltzer, the reassuring Nationwide jingle, or the metallic clanging of Pixar’s now-famous lamp. What brands are right for the sonic industry? The answer: mostly, everyone.

Song and jingles

We’ve already mentioned how songs and jingles were the pioneers of sonic branding. But how are they evolving? Does Your Brand Story Need a Loud Identity? According to Forbes, more Americans than ever are watching content through streaming services rather than basic cable. That’s because they can binge-watch their shows faster and without commercials. Unfortunately, that means they’re less likely to watch your commercials and ads, which means they’re less likely to remember your brand. So how are brands reaching consumers with their advertisements? Podcasts and music streaming services.

With the podcast industry picking up steam year after year and music streaming services dominating our ear lobes, brand jingles have found new mediums. By pitching their brands in ads before or after our favorite podcasts or songs, sonic signatures are leaving their mark. Now, we don’t even have to hit the play button. All we have to do is ask.

Voice assistants

Do you remember the first time you heard Siri’s voice?

Almost immediately, the tech world associated the voice of Apple’s personal assistant with all of their products and became the brand’s sonic identity overnight. Now, hearing Siri’s voice come from something that’s not an Apple product might be considered blasphemous.

Soon after, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon all released their versions of personal assistants. Whether you’re asking Siri, Cortana, Google, or Alexa for some help, each one has become synonymous with their company’s brand or products. The personalized assistants each have their own voices and create an iconic sonic identity that brings brands to life before our ears.

Having a personal assistant may help us feel like we’re not alone, and are getting stuff done faster. But other brands are using music to reassure our financial well-being.

Credit cards connect with our emotions. what?

Credit card brands like Mastercard now have their own sonic identities, and according to Chief Marketing Officer, Raja Rajmannar, the brand is all about human connection. When asked to describe Mastercard’s sound logo, Rajmannar gave a lengthy response.

“The Mastercard sound logo is universal, it is unifying, it is inclusive, it is inspiring,” said Rajmannar. “It is memorable; it is pleasant, it is neutral, it is adaptable, it is versatile.”

That’s a lot of words to describe a jingle, but Mastercard put plenty of work into their unique sound. The credit card company even hired professional musicians like Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park to produce their new anthem. After an 18-month process searching for the sound, they landed on a tune that’s as adaptable as it is memorable.

Mastercard’s sonic identity is their signature touch and aims to provide customers with a sense of reassurance on every purchase. Their first-ever audio press release introduced audiences to various styles of the melody for different transactions around the world. Whether you’re in Mumbai, Bogota, or San Francisco, the melody stays the same but fits the place you’re in with a region’s familiar instruments and styles.

And with voice shopping expected to hit $40 billion worldwide by 2022, Rajmannar and his team are ready to soothe your ears with the swipe of a card. But how can your brand be prepared to have a sound of their own?

Contact a supper standard brand managing company and feel relax about the next step of your brand’s career.